Cui Bono

VII

The last Saturday of June saw Dr. Jesse Valenzuela and Maria Elisabetta D'Amico marry. Daniel, Thad, and the George twins were among the ushers; Bianca, Marisol, and Imogen were bridesmaids; Katherine was the maid of honour, and Mary Jane the matron of honour.

Much to Katherine's chagrin, Cammy was among the guests, but her mood lightened when she saw Jean among the guests as she walked down the aisle with Thad.

When the reception began, Katherine almost literally bumped into Robbie George. "It's been too long."

"I just got out last week."

"I'm glad you got out in time for this." Katherine offered Robbie a lopsided smile, and started walking away; as she was about to rejoin the wedding party, she saw a man approach Jesse and Maria Elisabetta. "There's a man here. I don't think he was invited."

At that moment, Andreas appeared around the corner of the Stanley Park Pavilion.

Katherine sighed, and strode towards Jesse and Maria Elisabetta. "You didn't invite him, did you?"

"I don't recognize him." Jesse shrugged.

"Cammy tried to convince us to invite him, but we don't know him well enough."

Katherine pursed her lips.

Robbie approached them. "Are you OK, Katherine?"

"I'm thinking of filing a restraining order against that...guy."

"If it'll get him to leave you alone, you should."

Katherine looked at Maria Elisabetta.

"I'll deal with this." Jesse left the party, and talked to Andreas. Katherine was relieved that whatever Jesse said to him made him leave; then Jesse returned to them. "That's that. Let's enjoy the reception."

Some time during the meal, Georgina doubled over, and moaned. Katherine and Daniel immediately rushed over, as Patrick held Georgina up.

"OK, everybody," Daniel called out, "move back, and give us some room." Jesse, Thad, and other doctors rushed towards Georgina; Katherine clutched Patrick's arm and moved him away with her, then commed an ambulance.

"Is she going to die?" Bobby asked.

"Probably not," Jesse said, "but we need to figure out what's going on with her."

"Of course she's not going to die, Bobby." Cammy practically laughed. "It's just a tummy ache."

"We don't know that right now." Jesse gazed at Cammy.

"And this looks more serious than a simple stomach-ache." Thad pressed on Georgina's abdomen, causing Georgina to moan.

"Maybe stop pushing her belly?"

Jean clasped Katherine's arm, as Katherine glared at Cammy.

"Come on, Jean," Bobby called. "Let Kat kick her ass."

Within minutes, an air ambulance appeared over the garden outside of Stanley Park Pavilion; it landed, and a team of paramedics emerged. They rushed towards Georgina, carried her to the ambulance, placed her on a stretcher, and rushed her towards it. Then the ambulance took off with Georgina and the paramedics inside.

Katherine approached the doctors. "Can I get one of you to examine the food and beverages?"

"We'll do it," Thad piped up, as Daniel nodded.